Today Angel City Football Club announced the official signing of forward Claire Emslie, who was ACFC’s second pick in the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft. Emslie will hold an international spot, acquired from OL Reign, for a short period until her green card is finalized in the coming weeks. Emslie is expected to dress for Saturday’s home match against ACFC’s rival San Diego Wave FC at Banc of California Stadium.
“We are delighted to welcome Claire Emslie to Angel City,” said ACFC Sporting Director Eni Aluko. “Claire joins us after we drafted her in the 2022 expansion draft from Orlando Pride. She is a player who has good experience in the NWSL and superior versatility as a forward in our strategy. Claire has scored some notable goals for Everton and Scotland this season and we hope she continues this trend with us. We welcome yet another true professional and great person to our positive player culture.”
“I’m really excited to be in Los Angeles and part of Angel City,” said Emslie. “I have been looking forward to it for a long time. The team has already been so welcoming and I can’t wait to get onto the field for the rest of the season.”
Emslie’s signing follows the conclusion of the Everton FC season in the FA Women’s Super League. She joined Everton on loan from the Orlando Pride, before signing an 18-month contract with the Blues in December 2020. In 2021–2022, Emslie made 18 appearances and secured two goals.
She began her international career with Scotland in 2013, taking a hiatus to attend college at Florida Atlantic University. She was selected for the 2019 World Cup team and scored the nation’s first-ever World Cup goal when the team faced England in a group stage defeat.
During her professional career, Emslie has rostered with Bristol City (2016), Manchester City (2017–2019), the Orlando Pride (2019), Melbourne City (2019), and Everton (2020–2022). She was born in Penicuik, Scotland.